Top Bermuda Hotel and Cruise News

The new Inverurie Hotel, which recently opened less than 10 minutes from the city of Hamilton, has been completely remodeled.

With better than one in seven vacationers interested in visiting Bermuda during the next two years — according to MMGY Global’s 2015 Portrait of American travelers — you might want to get the skinny on the latest developments there. From a new St. Regis hotel planned for the St. George’s area of the island to a new $85 million Ariel Sands Resort project approved in June, Travel Agent breaks down the latest Bermuda hotel news and other happenings this season and beyond.

Hotel News

Plans to develop a new $120 million St. Regis resort in St. George’s are progressing. The project, which will be managed by St. Regis, is slated to include 122 hotel rooms, a casino — subject to an application to the Gaming Commission — and the renovation of the 18-hole Robert Trent Jones designed St George’s Golf Course.

Also, an $85 million plan to redevelop the Ariel Sands Resort was approved in June. The main hotel will be five stories tall and will include a children’s game area, restaurant, bar, spa and salon. The hotel, owned by Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is slated to open by spring 2017.

Roland Burrows ([email protected]), the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s chief investment officer, is the go-to person for information on these two properties and welcomes questions from agents.

The practically new Inverurie Hotel recently opened less than 10 minutes from the city of Hamilton. This hotel includes new executive suites located right on the water. The new Inverurie has been completely remodeled. Each one-bedroom suite includes a fully equipped kitchen, walk-in closet, separate living and dining rooms and a private balcony, suitable for long-term accommodation. Large “king rooms” come equipped with a small galley kitchen, complete with refrigerator, coffee machine, microwave and kettle for light dining in.

Agents should reach out to Philip Akeroyd ([email protected]), hotel owner and manager.

Plans for $1 million in developments to Shelly Bay are currently underway. The renovation will include a new family-friendly restaurant and bar, water sports facilities, rentals and a beach shop, as well as a single unit vacation rental.

Agents looking for more information on the project are encouraged to reach out to Thomas Steinhoff ([email protected]), the developer for the project.

A Cliffside Room at the Reefs Resort & Club in Bermuda

In June, The Reefs Resort & Club introduced the newly styled Aqua Terra, a sea- and farm-to-table dining experience. A homage to the sea and land of Bermuda, Aqua Terra evokes the flavors of island life with innovative dishes such as grilled octopus, along with traditional island meals of grilled rockfish and the famed fish chowder.

Agents should reach out to David Dodwell ([email protected]), resort manager for The Reefs.

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, A Fairmont Managed Hotel is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year by introducing “The Princess Rum.” Created in partnership with Gosling’s Rum, the exclusive spirit will be available to guests starting this fall.

In May the resort opened Marcus at the new Princess Beach Club, where Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson specializes in Caribbean and Portuguese cuisine. The restaurant is arrayed with modern art (including original pieces by Andy Warhol, Liu Ye and Nelson Mandela amongst others), has a wraparound terrace affording panoramic harbor views, and an exposed kitchen where guests can watch culinary creations prepared right before their eyes.

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has also been named the official host hotel for the 35th America’s Cup (more on that later). General Manager Allan Federer ([email protected]) can answer agent queries.

Carnival Comes Calling

Fort St. Catherine is one of the iconic attractions in St. George’s Parish, where a new St. Regis hotel will open in 2017.

Carnival Cruise Line recently announced that it will be sailing nine new Bermuda voyages next year between April and November 2016. The schedule includes:

Carnival Pride:Five-day cruises from Baltimore departing April 10 and October 26, as well as seven-day voyages September 4 and 18.

Carnival Victory: An eight-day sailing from Port Canaveral, May 19.

Carnival Ecstasy:Seven-day cruises from Charleston, May 12 and November 5.

Carnival Sunshine: A seven-day cruise from New York, October 1, and a five-day sailing from Norfolk, October 23.

All of the new departures will include at least one overnight stay docked at Bermuda’s historic King’s Wharf. Longer itineraries will allow guests a chance to experience a variety of activities on the island, including world-class golf, glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling and scuba diving, and local nightlife and cuisine.

New Attractions

The new St. George’s Beach Bus makes it easy for visitors and locals to reach local attractions, including beaches and forts. Passengers can purchase a ticket for $6 and are free to hop on and off the bus at different locations throughout the day. The bus runs on a constant half-hour loop, with a second bus being added during busy hours.

The owners of Supermarket on Front Street opened Honey’s Cafe and Creamery, formerly Double Dips, in June. The new cafe-style ice cream parlor offers a range of food, smoothies and homemade cones.

A new Saturday market, located in the Jamaica Grill parking lot on Court Street, had its grand opening in May. The market allows small businesses to sell their wares in a community environment and also includes kid-friendly castles, music, entertainment and food.

Festivals and Events

Yacht-racing aficionados can get a preview of the thrills to come during the 35th America’s Cup, presented by Louis Vuitton, in 2017 when the island hosts the America’s Cup World Series race, October 16-18, 2015. This event is the first stage of competition when all of the America’s Cup teams compete, hoping to earn points that will advance them to the Finals.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Tattoo at Royal Naval Dockyard will feature a cast of nearly 400 performers with artillery guns, fireworks and military pageantry showcasing the best of Bermuda and its colorful, unique military history. The event runs from October 22-24.

Since 1988, the top names in international rugby competition have headed to Bermuda, an island with rich rugby roots, for the World Rugby Classic, featuring seven days of tournament games and events. The event runs from November 8-14.

On December 12, the Christmas Boat Parade kicks off. The holidays get a whole lot brighter when dozens of boats decorated with brilliant lights cruise into Hamilton Harbor during the biannual Christmas Boat Parade. The theme of this year’s parade is the America’s Cup.

Free Night Offer

Encouraging clients to truly experience all of Bermuda’s hidden gems year-round, Bermuda’s most recent offer gives guests the option to extend their stay and receive a complimentary third, fourth or fifth night, based on a three-night stay. The offer must be booked now through November 25, 2015 and is valid for during the same time frame.